This eleventh entry into the Psy-Changeling series surprised me. As this one focuses on changelings I was expecting a romance where the two people were destined to be mates as has happened in other entries. Riaz, SnowDancer lieutenant and lone wolf, met his mate only to find out that she was already in love with and married to a human. This really rocked his world and left him running back to the Pack for comfort and thinking that he could never love because his mate was unavailable.Adria was another SnowDancer wolf who had problems of her own. She just ended a relationship that fell about because she was a more dominant wolf than her partner. The relationship had become very painful for both of them. Adria especially feared that she would have the same problem in any future relationship - love turning to resentment.Adria has an instant aversion to Riaz when they meet which Riaz sees as a challenge. They gradually build a relationship but it is filled with torment for both of them with Riaz feeling he is betraying his mate and Adria only wanting to accept a man who will love her totally.We also see Sienna and Hawke deepen their relationship after their mating and learn to compromise with each other. Compromise is not usually a word in an alpha werewolf's vocabulary but he is willing to try for Sienna. It helps that Sienna is an extremly strong Psy with a very dangerous and unusual talent.And, in the background to these romances, the Psy world is being shaken up and is on the verge of a Civil War that will cause thousands of deaths among the Psy and the humans.This was another great episode in this long running series. Being a fan of the series, I can't judge how well the book would stand alone but my opinion is that a new reader would be lost regarding anything but the main romance. Of course, my suggestions is to read the rest of the series. All of the books are filled with wonderful romances between strong people.
